Glenn Hoddle says Liverpool were taken aback by the transfer sales of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Fans expected a change to Liverpool’s midfield this summer – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita headed for the exit door.
But then the ever-growing Saudi Pro League came knocking for Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, with Hoddle claiming that the sale of the England midfielder came ‘out of the blue’, as he told Premier League Productions (13/08/23 at 1:35 pm).
Many think the departure of those two is a reason why Liverpool put a British record transfer fee down on the table for Moises Caicedo, only for the player to snub them for Chelsea.
It has left the club in a spot of bother because they are now short in the middle of the park, including that defensive brain needed, as they proved during their 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
England legend Hoddle spoke about Liverpool’s transfer sales this summer and why they delayed pushing for Caicedo.
“I think, from Liverpool’s point of view, they got a surprise from what happened with Hendo and Fabinho,” said Hoddle. “They weren’t expecting that.
“Suddenly, they have a bigger purse than they had. Be whatever is they went for and the wages. I think that’s perhaps the reason why they didn’t go in for him (Caicedo) very early, like Chelsea have done. That was out of the blue (Henderson sale).”
More Liverpool players to leave for Saudi?
This could yet become a nightmare summer transfer window for the Reds because the Saudis are now knocking on Mohamed Salah’s door – what’s worse is that he is open to the move.
And it doesn’t stop there because Alisson Becker, who was Liverpool’s best player last season, is also attracting interest, and once again, he is also open to heading out to the Middle East.
If those two left before the window slams shut, then Liverpool might not recover from it and will fear that they could have a Chelsea-esque season.
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